Isabeau, wild with fear, ordered her litter at once, got into it, and was carried to the hôtel St. Paul, where she took refuge with the King, taking up her abode in the room adjoining his; while the news spread through Paris, and the nobles, hastily arming, flocked to St. Paul to guard the King, all the gates of Paris were closed but two, which were strictly guarded and count kept of all who passed out or in.
The King, filled with grief and anger, sent for the provost of Paris and ordered him to find out the assassins, and there was a general wonder who was the instigator of this crime. Suspicions fell upon the Sieur de Canny, who had cause enough to hate Louis d’Orléans, but it appeared that he had not been in or near Paris at the time; and on the 25th the provost of Paris presented himself at the hôtel St. Paul where the princes were assembled, as a council was about to be held, and came into the apartment where they were all waiting for the time for it to begin. The King of Sicily and the Dukes of Burgundy, Berry, and Bourbon were present, besides other princes of the blood.[223]
The Duke of Burgundy was standing by a window talking to the King of Sicily when the provost of Paris appeared and said that he believed he could find out the author of the crime if he might have permission to search the hôtels of all the princes.[224] It appeared that a scullion who had acted as spy for the murderers had been seen to escape and enter the hôtel d’Artois, or Burgundy.
All the princes at once gave leave for their palaces to be searched except the Duke of Burgundy, who hesitated and changed colour, and the King of Sicily asked him if he knew anything of the affair. Taking him and the Duc de Berry aside, he confessed his guilt. “C’est moi qui ai fait le coup et ne sais comme il s’est fait, il faut que le diable m’ait tenté et surpris.” The princes looked at each other in consternation. “Dieu!” exclaimed the Duc de Berry, “je perds aujourd’hui mes deux neveux!”
Next day, when he presented himself to attend the council at the hôtel de Nesle, the Duc de Berry stopped him, saying he had better not go in, as it would please no one to see him there; he had better go back to his hôtel. The Duke of Burgundy left the palace, the Comte de Saint-Pol refusing to accompany him, got fresh horses, and fled to the nearest fortress belonging to him, cutting the Pont Saint Maxence behind him to stop pursuit. The Duc de Bourbon indignantly asked the Duc de Berry, “Why did you let him go?” He grieved sincerely for his nephew, and never again would sit at a council, or enter a room, or go to any place where the Duke of Burgundy was.
CHAPTER VII
1407–1412
Departure of royal family—Hundred Years’ War—Valentine d’Orléans—Queen returns to Louvre—Death of Valentine—Forced reconciliation—Philippe de Bourgogne and Michelle de France—Misconduct of the Duc de Bretagne—Death of Isabelle de France—Of the Duc de Bourbon—Quarrels of the Duke and Duchess of Aquitaine—Of the princes.
Never did there appear to be a more conspicuous example of successful crime than the one recorded in the last chapter. Jean Sans-peur had satisfied his vengeance and got rid of his rival, and although retribution eventually fell upon him, he was for many years able to rejoice in his deed and escape the punishment of it by reason of his powerful position and the weakness of those opposed to him.